The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of coping, attachment style and perceived social support to perceived stress within a sample of HIV-positive persons. Participants were 147 HIV-positive persons (80 men and 67 women). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships of the demographic variables, AIDS status, three coping styles, three attachment styles and perceived quality of general social support with total score on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). PSS score was significantly associated with less income, greater use of behavioural and emotional disengagement in coping with HIV/AIDS, and less secure and more anxious attachment styles. These results indicate that HIV-positive persons who experience the greatest stress in their daily lives are those with lower incomes, those who disengage behaviourally/emotionally in coping with their illness, and those who approach their interpersonal relationships in a less secure or more anxious style.

The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial correlates of adjustment to HIV/AIDS in a sample of 137 HIV-positive persons (78 men and 59 women). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine relationships between perceived quality of general social support, three attachment styles, and three coping styles with total score on Positive States of Mind Scale (PSOMS), our measure of adjustment. The influence of demographic and medical status variables was also accounted for. PSOMS total score was significantly associated with greater satisfaction with social support related to HIV/AIDS, more secure attachment style, and less use of behavioral disengagement in coping with HIV/AIDS. These results indicate that for people with HIV or AIDS, those individuals who are more satisfied with their relationships, securely engaged with others, and more directly engaged with their illness are more likely to experience positive adjustment. Implications for physical health outcome and opportunities for intervention are discussed.

No abstract

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder commonly seen in older adults, but diagnosis may be complicated by a symptom profile that overlaps with common medical illnesses, particularly pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders. Cognitive–behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for panic disorder with an approach that combines repeated and controlled exposure to autonomic physical sensations along with cognitive and somatic coping strategies. Although benzodiazepines are the most common psychopharmacologic treatment for panic disorder due to their immediate effects, they carry risks for older adults and are best used to treat acute panic while waiting for the effects of an antidepressant to kick in. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are considered first-line treatments.

No abstract